The Gospel Way Catechism
By Pastor Bill
Dear Church family,
This Sunday we are adding a new catechism to our liturgy (our Order of Worship): The Gospel Way Catechism (2025). It is fresh off the press, aiming to be both deeply confessional and boldly counter-cultural. Our Elders and Worship Team Leaders encourage you to begin exploring it by purchasing a print or digital copy (see links below).
What is a catechism?
To catechize simply means to teach in an orderly way. Historically, the church has often done this through questions and answers supported by Scripture. A modern catechism is therefore a discipleship tool in Q & A format, useful in corporate worship, small groups, or family worship around the kitchen table.
Why Use a Catechism in Our Worship Service?
Here are few time-tested reasons:
- Catechizing anchors us in the “pattern of sound teaching” (2 Timothy 1:13).
- It promotes memorization, which in turn leads to meditation.
- It provides categories that the preached word can later fill with content.
- It models dialogue and invites further discussion.
- It unites our voices in affirming essential biblical truths.
- It helps conserve the faith – passing on sound biblical doctrine to our children in contrast to
unsound cultural doctrine. - It guards against novel or unorthodox interpretations.
- It expresses solidarity with our Protestant forebears who used catechisms for discipleship.
Leaders like Tim Keller and J.I. Packer recognized how vital catechesis is in our day. Keller, the architect of The New City Catechism (2017), warned that cultural narratives are overpowering God’s people, saying: “Both the method of catechism and the mandate of catechism is absolutely crucial today.” Packer likewise lamented its neglect, calling catechesis “the deliberate teaching of the Christian basics… the lost art of the church.”
Why The Gospel Way Catechism?
The Gospel Way Catechism: 50 Truths That Take on the World seeks to reclaim this ancient tool of formation for today’s secular age:
For centuries, Christians have relied on catechisms – question-and-answer summaries of faith – to teach the faith and disciple new believers. The Gospel Way Catechism reclaims this powerful practice, explaining 50 essential Christian beliefs in a clear, Q & A format.
But it doesn’t stop there. Each answer not only clarifies the core tenets of faith but also equips you to identify and challenge today’s common, yet powerful, cultural narratives. As
you are formed by biblical answers to essential questions about God, life, and faith, you will also be counter-formed so you can identify the shortcomings of secular scripts and
subvert them with the gospel.
We welcome this new help into our worship and discipleship life. To purchase a personal copy for yourself, your family, or a group study, follow one of the links below.
Pastor Bill
